Pocketable folding umbrella as maximally flattened

ABSTRACT

A pocketable folding umbrella includes a flat central shaft consisting of a plurality of flat tubes each formed as a rectangular shape and telescopically engageable with one another; a rib assembly including a plurality of flat-side rib means (or devices) respectively universally secured to an upper notch and a lower runner by a plurality of pivoting devices each projectively aligned with a long axis X on the upper notch or the lower runner, and a plurality of extremity rib means (or devices) respectively pivotally secured to opposite extremity end portions of the upper notch or lower runner; whereby upon closing of the umbrella, the rib means may be folded to maximally flatten a folded umbrella.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,535 issued to the same inventors of this applicationdisclosed a pocketable folding umbrella (hereinafter called the “priorart”) as inferentially illustrated in FIG. 1, which however has thefollowing drawbacks:

-   1. The central shaft (1), if made of a plurality of tubes    telescopically engageable, will weaken its strength especially the    innermost tube (1 i) of which the diameter has been greatly reduced,    thereby being easily deformed, bent or damaged.-   2. Each flat-side rib means (2 a) is pivoted about a center (C)    which is however positioned at a side portion of the upper notch (3)    or lower runner (4) as separated from the X-axis (X) so that the    umbrella ribs at the flat side can not be greatly biased to    approximate the “center line” aligned with the axis (X), thereby    being still unable to be maximally flattened when closing the    umbrella.

The present inventor has found the drawbacks of the prior art andinvented the present pocketable folding umbrella which may be flattenedmaximally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a pocketable foldingumbrella including a flat central shaft consisting of a plurality offlat tubes each formed as a rectangular shape and telescopicallyengageable with one another; a rib assembly including a plurality offlat-side rib means each universally pivoted about a pivoting centerprojectively aligned with a long axis X on an upper notch or a lowerrunner, and a plurality of extremity rib means each pivotally secured toopposite extremity end portions of the upper notch or lower runner;whereby upon closing of the umbrella, the rib means may be folded tomaximally flatten a folded umbrella.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an upper notch and the related elements of a flat umbrellaof a prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a multiple-fold umbrella when folded in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 shows the plural tubes telescopically engageable for forming thecentral shaft of penta-fold of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional drawing of the tube as viewed from 4-4direction of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional drawing as taken from line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional drawing as taken from line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional drawing as taken from line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional drawing as taken from line 8-8 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional drawing of the tubes of the central shaft ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration showing an opening umbrella of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a top view illustration of the upper notch of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the lower runner of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows the upper notch and the lower runner having partial ribspivotally secured thereto.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional drawing of another preferred embodiment ofthe central shaft of triple folds in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 shows another penta-fold shaft of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a hepta-fold shaft of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in the drawing figures, the present invention comprises: a flatcentral shaft 1 consisting of a plurality of flat tubes telescopicallyengageable with one another and a flat grip 10 formed on a lower portionof the shaft 1, a rib assembly 2 consisting of a plurality of extremityrib means 2 e and a plurality of flat-side rib means 2 a respectivelypivotally secured to a flat upper notch 3 formed on a top of the flatcentral shaft 1 and pivotally secured to a flat lower runner 4 slidablyheld on the shaft 1, and an umbrella cloth 5 secured on the rib assembly2.

The flat central shaft 1 includes a plurality of flat tubestelescopically engageable with one another for forming multiple folds ofthe shaft 1. The tubes gradually or gradationally increase the number ofconcave portions V formed on each tube from the outermost (or lowest)tube 11 to the innermost (or uppermost) tube 15.

As shown in FIGS. 2˜9, the flat central shaft 1 includes: a first orlowest or outermost flat tube 11, a second or lower flat tube 12, athird or middle flat tube 13, a fourth or upper flat tube 14, and afifth or uppermost or innermost flat tube 15, all tubes beingtelescopically engaged with one another to form the flat central shaft.

The flat central shaft 1 or the upper notch 3 or the lower runner 4 eachdefines a long axis or latitudinal axis X at a latitudinal center linelinearly connected between the east direction E and the west direction W(FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12); a short axis or longitudinal axis Y at alongitudinal center line linearly connected between the north directionN and the south direction S to intersect the long axis X at a shaftcenter O.

The first or lowest or outermost tube 11 (FIG. 4) has zero concaveportion V as recessed inwardly from a rectangular tube wall towards aninterior I of the shaft 1; the second or lower tube 12 (FIG. 5) havingone concave portion V as recessed inwardly from a rectangular tube wall(positioned at a southwest direction SW about the shaft center O)towards the interior I of the shaft 1; the third tube 13 having twoconcave portions V as respectively recessed inwardly from therectangular tube wall and positioned at the southwest direction SW andthe northeast direction NE (FIG. 6) about the center O to slidablyengage the concave portion positioned at SW direction of the third tube13 with the concave portion also located at SW direction of the secondtube 12 to have their mutual smooth sliding engagement when extending orretracting the tubes for opening or closing the umbrella; the fourthtube 14 having three concave portions V recessed inwardly from the tubewall at three locations of SW, SE and NE directions about the center Oto slidably engage the concave portions V at directions SW, NE of boththe fourth tube 14 and of the third tube 13; and the fifth or uppermostor innermost tube 15 having four concave portions V recessed inwardlyfrom the tube wall at four locations of SW, SE, NE and NW (northwest)directions about the center O to thereby slidably engage the concaveportions V at directions SW, SE and NE of both the fifth tube 15 and thefourth tube 14 as shown in FIG. 9.

Accordingly, the concave portions V are gradually or gradationallyincreased from the first or outermost tube 11 towards the fifth orinnermost tube 15 with an increment of one concave portion V graduallyincreased from an outer (or lower) tube to a neighboring inner (orupper) tube.

Namely, there is an increment of one concave portion V between every twoneighboring tubes (or between the inner tube and the outer tube).

By the way, every two neighboring tubes will commonly define an airchamber A therebetween. For example, the first tube 11 having zeroconcave portion and the second tube 12 having one concave portion V atSW direction will define an air chamber A at SW direction as shown indotted line of FIG. 4 and as shown in FIG. 9. The second tube 12 and thethird tube 13 will commonly define another air chamber A at direction NE(FIGS. 5 and 9).

Such an air chamber A between every two neighboring tubes will providean aperture for air flow therethrough to prevent from serious frictionaldogging or “braking” between the neighboring tubes when slidablyextending or retracting the tubes.

The concave portions V as formed in the flat tubes of the central shaft1 have the following functions and advantages:

-   1. The concave portion as formed in the tube wall of the shaft tube    will play a role like a reinforcing rib for reinforcing the strength    of the tube especially on the long side wall of the    rectangular-shaped tube wall.-   2. The concave portions V of two neighboring tubes will make the    tubes to be slidably engaged with each other in a smooth way.-   3. The tubes with the concave portions V formed in the tube walls    will prevent the tubes from being vibrated or twisted.

The second tube 12 includes a lower enlarged portion 121 to be engagedwith an upper contracted portion 111 of the first tube 11 as shown inFIG. 3 to thereby limit the two tubes 12, 11 and prevent from theirseparation when extended. The lower enlarged portion 121 of the secondtube 12 may be directly enlarged from a lower end portion of the concaveportion V which is recessed in the second tube 12. Correspondingly, theupper contracted portion 111 of the first tube 11 may be directly formedon an upper end portion of the first tube 11 defining an air chamber Abetween the first tube 11 and the second tube 12.

Similarly, the second tube 12 has its upper contracted portion 122engaged with a lower enlarged portion 131 of the third tube 13. Thethird tube 13 has its upper contracted portion 132 engaged with a lowerenlarged portion 141 of the fourth tube 14. The fourth tube 14 has itsupper contracted portion 142 engaged with a lower enlarged portion 151of the fifth tube 15.

Other modifications may be made to form multiple-fold central shaft 1.For instance, the triple-fold shaft 1 as shown in FIG. 14 includes afirst tube 11, a second tube 12 having its concave portion V formed atNW direction and a third tube 13 having its two concave portions Vformed at NW and NE directions.

As shown in FIG. 15, another penta-fold shaft 1 of the present inventionis presented by forming a concave portion V in the second tube 12 atsouth direction S; two concave portions V in the third tube 13 at southand north direction S, N; three concave portions V in the fourth tube 14at directions of south, north and east (S, N and E); and four concaveportions V in the fifth tube 15 at four directions of east (E), west(W), south (S) and north (N), thereby engaging the first tube throughfifth tube 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 to be a penta-fold shaft 1.

In FIG. 16, a hepta-fold shaft 1 is formed by modifying the shaft tubesof the embodiment as shown in FIG. 9 by further adding a sixth tube 16having five concave portions V formed at locations of E, SE, SW, NE andNW, and adding a seventh tube 17 having six concave portions V formed atlocations of E, W, SE, SW, NE and NW.

So, the flat central shaft 1 of the present invention may be modified tobe multiple folds by selectively forming the concave portions V in therelated tubes at suitable locations or directions, not limited in thepresent invention.

Since each tube of the central shaft 1 is formed as a flat shape orrectangular shape having a proper length and width and reinforced by theconcave portion(s) V formed in the tube, not a circular tube having asmall diameter and weak strength of an upper or uppermost (or innermost)tube of the prior art, the flat shaft 1 of the present inventionprovides an umbrella with reliable strength and maneuverability.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10˜13, a plurality of (or two) extremity ribmeans 2 e are respectively formed on opposite end portions of the uppernotch 3 and of the lower runner 4; and a plurality of flat-side ribmeans 2 a normally linearly arranged respectively on the upper notch 3and on the lower runner 4 when closing the umbrella, and operativelyuniversally biased outwardly for opening the umbrella. Each extremityrib means 2 e includes: at least a top rib 21 pivotally secured to anend portion 32 of the upper notch 3, and at least a stretcher rib 22pivotally secured to an end portion 42 of the lower runner 4, with thestretcher rib 22 pivotally connected with the top rib 21.

The upper notch 3 has a central flat sleeve portion 31 disposed about ashaft center O for securing the uppermost tube 15 of the central shaft 1into the central flat sleeve portion 31; and the lower runner 4 having acentral flat sleeve 41 formed on a central portion of the lower runnerfor slidably engaging the central shaft 1.

Each flat-side rib means 2 a includes: at least a top rib 21 universallysecured to the upper notch 3 by a universal pivoting means 33, and atleast a stretcher rib 22 universally secured to the lower runner 4 by alower universal pivoting means 43, with the stretcher rib 22 of the ribmeans 2 a pivotally connected with the top rib 21.

All the universal pivoting means 33 are linearly arranged on the uppernotch 3 (FIGS. 10, 11) to be projectively aligned with the long axis Xof the upper notch, and are disposed on opposite sides about the shaftcenter O in between two opposite end portions 32 of the upper notch 3.

Each universal pivoting means 33 includes: a rib holder 331 having avertical pivot 332 vertically rotatably engaged in a pivot hole 301formed in the upper notch 3 for rotating the rib holder 331 about apivoting center C generally perpendicular to the long axis X, and ahorizontal pivot 333 transversely formed in the rib holder 331 forpivotally securing the top rib 21 of the flat-side rib assembly 2 a tothe rib holder 331, thereby allowing the top rib 21 to be universallypivotally secured to the upper notch 3.

All the lower universal pivoting means 43 are linearly arranged on thelower runner 4 (FIG. 12) to be projectively aligned with the long axis Xof the lower runner 4, and are disposed on opposite sides about theshaft center O in between two opposite end portions 42 of the lowerrunner 4.

Each lower universal pivoting means 43 includes: a lower rib holder 431having a lower vertical pivot 432 vertically rotatably engaged in alower pivot hole 401 formed in the lower runner 4 for rotating the lowerrib holder 431 about a lower pivoting center C1 generally perpendicularto the long axis X of the lower runner, and a lower horizontal pivot 433transversely formed in the lower rib holder 431 for pivotally securingthe stretcher rib 22 of the flat-side rib assembly 2 a to the lower ribholder 431, thereby allowing the stretcher rib 22 to be universallypivotally secured to the lower runner 4.

Other pivoting means 33, 43 may be further modified and used inaccordance with the present invention.

The rib assembly 2 of the present invention are multiple folds,including triple folds, penta folds, etc., not limited in thisinvention, thereby providing a multiple-fold umbrella.

Each universal pivoting means 33 has its rib holder 331 rotatably heldwithin a socket 30 recessed in the upper notch 3, having an outsideretarding wall 302 defining an acute angle B from the long axis X to theoutside retarding wall 302 for retarding an outwardly extended top rib21 when opening the umbrella, and having an inside retarding wall 303recessed inwardly in the socket 30 to be opposite to the outsideretarding wall 302 for receiving an inwardly retracted top rib 21 whenclosing the umbrella. The pivot hole 301 is vertically communicated withthe socket 30.

Each lower universal pivoting means 43 has its rib holder 431 rotatablyheld within a socket 40 recessed in the lower runner 4, having anoutside retarding wall 402 defining an acute angle B from the long axisX to the outside retarding wall 402 for retarding an outwardly extendedstretcher rib 22 when opening the umbrella, and having an insideretarding wall 403 recessed inwardly in the socket 40 to be opposite tothe outside retarding wall 402 for receiving an inwardly retractedstretcher rib 22 when closing the umbrella. The pivot hole 401 isvertically communicated with the socket 40.

Upon opening of the umbrella as shown in FIG. 10, the extending of therib assembly 2 when raising the lower runner 4 will simultaneouslytension the umbrella cloth 5 to universally bias all (or four) flat-siderib means 2 a (aiming four directions of northeast NE, northwest NW,southeast SE, and southwest SW) and to pivotally extend the plural (ortwo) extremity rib means 2 e (aiming two directions of east E and westW) to fully open the umbrella. Each flat-side rib means 2 a will beoutwardly biased from the long axis X of the upper notch 3 or lowerrunner 4 in an acute angle B (e.g., about 60 degrees).

Upon closing of the umbrella, the runner 4 is lowered to retract the ribassembly 2 and to close the umbrella cloth 5. All flat-side rib means 2a and all extremity rib means 2 e are inwardly retracted towards theshaft center O for closing the umbrella. Since each flat-side rib means2 a is universally pivoted about the upper notch 3 or lower runner 4, itmay be then universally inwardly biased towards the long axis X tomaximally flatten the folded umbrella.

Since all universal pivoting means 33 or 43 are generally linearlyarranged on the notch 3 or runner 4 to be projectively aligned with thelong or latitudinal axis X at a center line of the notch or runner, therib assembly 2 and cloth 5, after being folded and closed, will begreatly flattened to minimize the folding volume of the umbrella,thereby being easily conveniently carried, stored or handled. The lineararrangement of the flat-side rib means 2 a of the present invention cangreatly minimize the volume of the folded umbrella to be superior to theprior art which includes the flat-side rib means 2 a disposed on eachflat side portion (not at a center line) of the upper notch or lowerrunner and can not be maximally flattened for minimizing its foldingvolume when closing the umbrella.

The present invention provides a flat central shaft 1 consisting of aplurality of flat tubes telescopically engaged with one another, and aflat upper notch 3 and flat lower runner 4 to linearly distribute allrib means 2 a, 2 e to be projectively aligned with a center line definedat the long axis X of the notch 3 or runner 4, thereby forming a slimcompact pocketable flat folding umbrella.

The present invention may be further modified without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

The rectangular notch 3 or runner 4 may be made so slim, for example, bysetting the length-to-width ratio of its rectangular shape to be 7:1 orother ratio.

1. A pocketable flat folding umbrella comprising: a flat central shaftconsisting of a plurality of flat tubes telescopically engaged with oneanother; a flat upper notch formed at a top of said flat central shaftand defining a long axis and a short axis on said notch; a flat lowerrunner slidably held on said central shaft and defining a long axis anda short axis on said runner; a rib assembly having an umbrella clothsecured thereon including a plurality of flat-side rib meansrespectively universally secured to said flat upper notch and said flatlower runner by a plurality of pivoting means which are respectivelyformed in said flat upper notch and in said lower runner, each saidpivoting means projectively aligned with each said long axis formed atthe flat upper notch or at the flat lower runner; and a plurality ofextremity rib means each respectively pivotally secured to oppositeextremity end portions of said upper notch and of said lower runner;whereby upon closing of the umbrella, said rib means will be universallyor pivotally folded to maximally flatten and fold an umbrella.
 2. Anumbrella according to claim 1, wherein said flat central shaft includesa plurality of flat tubes each generally formed as a rectangular shapeand said flat tubes telescopically engaged with one another for formingmultiple folds of the shaft, said tubes gradually or gradationallyincreasing the number of concave portions, each recessed inwardly intoan interior of said tube, from an outermost tube to an innermost tube;whereby two neighboring tubes will be slidably engaged with each otherby engaging one concave portion formed in one tube with the otherconcave portion formed in the other tube.
 3. An umbrella according toclaim 1, wherein said flat central shaft consisting of said flat tubesdefines a long axis at a latitudinal center line in said shaft linearlyconnected between an east direction and a west direction disposed abouta shaft center; and a short axis defined at a longitudinal center linein said shaft linearly connected between a north direction and a southdirection to intersect the long axis at said shaft center.
 4. Anumbrella according to claim 3, wherein each said tube has at least aconcave portion inwardly recessed in a tube wall and positioned in adirection, selected from the group consisting of: east, west, north,south, southeast, southwest, northeast and northwest, about the shaftcenter.
 5. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein each said extremityrib means includes: at least a top rib pivotally secured to an endportion of the upper notch, and at least a stretcher rib pivotallyconnected to said top rib and pivotally secured to an end portion of thelower runner.
 6. An umbrella according to claim 1, wherein said uppernotch includes a central flat sleeve portion disposed about a shaftcenter for securing an uppermost tube of the central shaft into thecentral flat sleeve portion; and the lower runner having a central flatsleeve formed on a central portion of the lower runner for slidablyengaging the central shaft.
 7. An umbrella according to claim 1, whereineach said flat-side rib means includes: at least a top rib universallysecured to the upper notch by a universal pivoting means, and at least astretcher rib pivotally connected with said top rib and universallysecured to the lower runner by a lower universal pivoting means.
 8. Anumbrella according to claim 1, wherein said universal pivoting means arelinearly arranged on the upper notch to be projectively aligned withsaid long axis of the upper notch, and are disposed on opposite sidesabout the shaft center in between two opposite end portions of the uppernotch.
 9. An umbrella according to claim 7, wherein each said universalpivoting means includes: a rib holder having a vertical pivot verticallyrotatably engaged in a pivot hole formed in the upper notch for rotatingthe rib holder about a pivoting center generally perpendicular to a longaxis of said upper notch, and a horizontal pivot transversely formed inthe rib holder for pivotally securing the top rib of the flat-side ribassembly to the rib holder, thereby allowing the top rib to beuniversally pivotally secured to the upper notch.
 10. An umbrellaaccording to claim 7, wherein said lower universal pivoting means arelinearly arranged on the lower runner to be projectively aligned withthe long axis of the lower runner, and are disposed on opposite sidesabout the shaft center in between two opposite end portions of the lowerrunner.
 11. An umbrella according to claim 10, wherein each said loweruniversal pivoting means includes: a lower rib holder having a lowervertical pivot vertically rotatably engaged in a lower pivot hole formedin the lower runner for rotating the lower rib holder about a lowerpivoting center generally perpendicular to the long axis of the lowerrunner, and a lower horizontal pivot transversely formed in the lowerrib holder for pivotally securing the stretcher rib of the flat-side ribassembly to the lower rib holder, thereby allowing the stretcher rib tobe universally pivotally secured to the lower runner.
 12. An umbrellaaccording to claim 1, wherein each said pivoting means is rotatably heldin a socket recessed in said upper notch or in said lower runner.
 13. Anumbrella according to claim 2, wherein an inner tube has one saidconcave portion recessed in said inner tube, said concave portion insaid inner tube corresponding to a portion in an outer tube neighboringto said inner tube having zero concave portion formed in said outertube, defining an air chamber in between said concave portion of saidinner tube and said outer tube having zero concave portion formedtherein.